Literacy - Related Programs
Offered in Mecklenburg County

  Preschool Programs

  School-Age Programs

  Adult Programs

Programs for Birth to 3 Years

• Reach Out and Read – Started in February 1999 at the Carolinas Medical Center this is a pediatric literacy program that targets low-income children ages 6 months to 5 years. It is offered to low-income families through pediatricians’ offices. It has three main components:
  1. trained literacy volunteers model techniques by reading to children in pediatric waiting rooms,
  2. parents are counseled by pediatricians on the importance of reading to their children,
  3. on each well visit children between ages of 6 months to 5 years receive a new, age appropriate book.
  Component of Charlotte Reads Initiative. Contact Rachael Smith at (704) 712-0011 or email reachoutandread_nc@yahoo.com.

• Ready To Learn Program – Sponsored by WTVI, this is part of an initiative by the national Public Broadcasting System to produce educational and instructional video programming with supportive materials to help preschool aged children with reading readiness to foster success in school. It is offered in 175 community sites reaching 6,300 children between the ages of 2-12 though the main focus is on preschoolers. Staff at each site is trained on how to use the literacy-based program in their curriculum to enhance developmental skills. Contact Beverly Dorn Steele at (704) 371-8840 or www.wtvi.org/readytolearn.asp.

• Books and Babies – A program offered through the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County inviting mothers to bring their infants to the library to introduce books at an early age. This program is offered at several branches around the county. Contact your local library for times and locations.

• Success By Six – This program through the Johnston YMCA is sponsored by United Way. Its goal is to help families give their children a healthy beginning and success in school by providing health, social and child.

• Bright Beginnings – This is a pre-literacy program in the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools targeting 4-year-olds to teach them pre-literacy skills and prepare them for kindergarten. The schools use a Title I screening program to identify at-risk children for the program which is done by the school. Four-year-olds in foster care are required to participate in the program. It involves parents by requiring them to sign contracts to attend parent workshops. In these workshops parents are trained how to read to their children, how to teach reading and letters and also about language acquisition and child development. Currently it serves 3000 children. Contact (980) 343-5950.

• Latino Storyteller Program - A program by the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to introduce reading at an early age to Latino families. Bilingual storytellers offer programs at several branch libraries around the county and at some community sites.

• Family Independence Initiative/Even Start – Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and the Department of Social Services are collaborating to provide family literacy programs to families with 4-year-olds. Designed to improve parents’ basic skills and attitudes toward education and careers, parenting, school readiness, and children’s literacy skills the program has 4 components. For further information contact Lynn Hinson at (704) 330-6072 or lynn.hinson@cpcc.edu.
  • Adult Basic Education Class – teaching reading and math with the goal of either completing a GED or improving their English skills. Both individual and group approaches are used.

  • Parent Group Time – peer group for parents designed to increase their parenting skills and help them feel more connected to the child’s school.

  • Parents and Children Together Time – parents have the chance to become active in their children’s education.

  • Early Childhood Education – uses Bright Beginnings curriculum with 4-year-olds to support a child’s social, physical and educational development and to prepare the child for kindergarten. Parents are required by the program to volunteer in the schools.

• Head Start – A fereral government program that provides comprehensive services to low-income children ages 3-5 years and social services for their families. There are 4 components to this program: 1) education and literacy/language training, 2) health services, 3) parent involvement including parent education, program planning, service on policy councils, and participation in workshops, and 4) social services (individualized services that may include family need assessments, emergency assistance, referrals, etc.) For further information call 704-333-0203.

• Right Moves for Youth – A non-profit organization that works with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, Police Dept., and civic organizations to have a positive impact on at-risk students grades 4-12 whose low grades, behavior in class or attendance problems may cause them to drop out of school. This program provides them with the support necessary to help them stay in school and succeed. The school identifies the students who are in jeopardy of failing or dropping out. They are invited to participate in “clubs” held during school hours where a team comprised of a community volunteer, a teacher and a police officer offer them a wide range of activities. Once a week, in a group setting, a teacher and a police officer meet with students to mentor and teach appropriate behavior and study habits. This program has received national recognition. Contact Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for more information.

• Communities in Schools – A non-profit organization connecting community resources with schools to help young people ages 5-20 successfully stay in school, learn, and prepare for life. At-risk youth are identified at each participating school by a site manager who provides a wide range of services based on the individual student’s needs. Communities in Schools believes all students deserve 5 basic resources:
  • a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult,

  • a safe place to learn and grow,

  • a healthy start and a healthy future,

  • a marketable skill to use upon graduation, and

  • a chance to give back to peers and the community.

  These 5 basic resources were adopted by America’s Promise. Contact your local school for more information.

• School Literacy Facilitators – CMS has literacy facilitators in schools to develop school literacy plans to meet goals of having students reading on grade level, to provide professional development for teachers, and to conduct some tutoring. Contact your local school for more information.

• Summer Reading Program – The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County offers a summer reading program for K-12 students. There are 2 parts: one for younger students, and Train Your Brain directed toward older students. This is an incentive program offering prizes for either the amount of time or the number of books read. For more information contact your local library.

• Central Piedmont Community College – Provides GED preparation classes and Adult Basic Education Classes For 16-18-year-olds who have dropped out of school.

• Central Piedmont Community College – Offers several programs at many locations for adult learning:
  1. Adult Basic Education/Adult High School Diploma - Provides basic reading, writing and math instruction to adults who lack basic education skills. Call 704-330-6864 for more information.

  2. Adult Basic Literacy Education - Provides instruction in basic literacy and preparation for taking the GED. Call 704-330-6125 for more information.

  3. Workplace Basic Skills - Partnership between CPCC and local businesses to provide in-house basic skills training to employees. Call 704-330-4554 for more information.

  4. English as a Second Language - classes to aid non-English speaking persons to learn English. Call 704-330-6135 for more information.